| Abstract: | This paper aims at investigating higher distance education course material development, delivery
and implementation in Ethiopia. The study is made on distance education divisions of Admas,
Alpha, and St.Mary’s university colleges, and Institute of Distance Education of the Ethiopian
Civil Service College. The researcher interviewed ten course material writers and/or tutors, four
programme developers, eleven students (in group, i.e., focus group discussion), and analyzed
about fourteen course modules. In addition to individual interview and focus group discussion, an
observation check-list was also used to collect part of the data required for the study. The
qualitative data collected using interview and focus group discussion, and document analysis
were all analyzed and interpreted using a qualitative argumentation technique. It was found out
that the Ethiopian higher distance education institutions employ what is commonly referred to as
the deep-approach to learning in their print mode. It appears that they had to work more on
strengthening their academic and counseling services, as well as administrative services at study
centers. Finally, the paper recommended that the higher distance education institutions need to
keep on producing deep-approach self-instructional materials by way of incorporating such
techniques as those indicated in the discussion section of the paper. This could entail the need for
establishing strong educational resource center for use of up-to-date and appropriate
instructional technologies at their study centers. It was also recommended that emphasis should
be given to provide additional academic supports, counseling and administrative supports to
learners at the required level by assigning the required professionals. |
